Effects of carbohydrate-restricted diets in the management of diabetes mellitus: review of scientific literature

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2020.43534

Keywords:

Diabetes mellitus. Carbohydrate-restricted diet. High-protein and low-carbohydrate diet. Fat-restriction diet. Diet therapy.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate, through a literature review, evidence of the use of diets with carbohydrate restriction in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). Electronic and manual searches were conducted until April 2019, including works published from 2008 onwards. Studies on in vitro and animal research, literature reviews, books, monographs, dissertations, theses, case studies and case reports were excluded. The remaining articles were submitted to analysis of their methodological quality by the five-point JADAD Scale. Nineteen randomized studies with an average quality of three points were selected and analyzed regarding the types of diet used, adherence, type of DM, time of intervention, reported consumption of carbohydrates and results observed for the control and intervention group. Among the parameters chosen to measure the possible effects of diets, weight and BMI changes, Hb1Ac, variability or glycemic control, lipid profile and changes in insulin doses or medication used stood out. In four studies, no significant advantages were observed from a carbohydrate-restricted diet, and 15 studies reported improvements in one or more parameters. Such results can represent a great advantage in adopting this dietary strategy in the management of DM and in preventing complications of the disease. However, there are limitations in the studies, which need to have their hypotheses verified in the long term, and additional research must be carried out to configure an official strategy in the control of DM.

 

 

Author Biography

Laís Prado Campos, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás

Graduada em Farmácia/Bioquímica pela Universidade federal de Goiás e Pós graduada em Farmacologia e Interações Medicamentosas em Farmácia Clínica. Pós Graduada em Gestão e Liderança Empresarial. Graduanda em Nutrição pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás.

Published

2020-04-30

How to Cite

Prado Campos, L., & Monteiro de Castro Lobo, L. (2020). Effects of carbohydrate-restricted diets in the management of diabetes mellitus: review of scientific literature. DEMETRA: Food, Nutrition & Health, 15, e43534. https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2020.43534

Issue

Section

Clinical Nutrition